“I want the youth to know that from YaraCentre we heard what they have to say and we will be moving forward to be providing them with the services that they’ve asked for,” said Jackman, manager of YaraCentre. “It got my mind rolling and things will be in the works a.s.a.p.”

She said she learned a lot from the day. YaraCentre offers youth programs and activities as well as organized sport teen activities. In partnership with Wow Factor Media, YaraCentre offers a free after school program from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday for youth aged 12 to 18.

“I did hear that we’ve taken the right direction or taken the first step to providing the after school program for them,” said Jackman. “It’s just a matter of the transportation to get here. Also on top of that they are looking for more structured activities instead of coming here to throw together some games.”

She said staff members are looking at offering teen fitness classes and teen zumba classes that are currently “in the works.”

Regarding transportation, Jackman said she couldn’t make any promises that a transportation plan will happen. However, she is going to try to make something happen.

“We heard you and we’re going to move forward and hopefully figure something out to get them here safely,” she said. “It’s on our plate now. It’s in my mind. We’re going to work at it. We’re going to push forward and we’re going to hopefully come out with a transportation plan.”

She said the youth provided “great feedback and great information.”

“I think it did come out with some great ideas and opportunity that we can definitely look at in the future and not only for YaraCentre, but just in general for our community,” said Jackman. “I think our youth really stepped up and they were excellent.”

She added it’s important to involve youth in planning.

“Ultimately we are creating these programs for youth. So what better people to go speak to than the youth themselves?” said Jackman. “Instead of us (adults) trying to guess and figure out on our own what they want, why not ask them? And I think we did a really good job (Thursday) doing that.”